If you want to become a leader in teaching, an administrator, a researcher, an academic, or a highly qualified educator, UPEI’s Master of Education in Leadership in Learning degree may be the perfect fit for you! Graduates from our program are teachers; educators in the corporate, government, arts, health, and not-for-profit sectors; PhD students; professors and instructors in colleges and universities; and, administrators and policy-makers.
The Master of Education program is designed to provide experienced educators in any field with the knowledge and skills required to become effective educational leaders. The overall aim of the program is to promote and support educational scholarship, research, and practice. Through studying relevant curriculum with researchers and expert practitioners, our students gain the capacity to make valuable contributions to the field of education—and to the lives of others.
Continue your learning journey with us today by exploring our course-based or thesis-based MEd program built for flexibility with in-person, blended, and online courses that will provide meaningful educational experiences. You can continue working while you pursue your MEd degree!
It is also important to note that the Master of Education in Leadership and Learning is unique in that this one degree is structured to permit for a variety of study foci. You can choose a focus in either Global Perspectives, 21st Century Teaching and Learning, College Education, or Additional Designation in Inclusive Education. Students enrolled in the MEd program complete seven compulsory courses and three elective courses (pre-selected for the focus of your choice).
All Masters of Education students must enrol and are considered full-time students.
Special Student Status for Single Courses
Register in up to two 6000-level Master’s courses in Education as a special student. ‘Test the water’ and gain a graduate credit in Education. Your first course will be Education 6110 - Introduction to Research, as it is a prerequisite for all other courses.
If you are considering transferring to our MEd program from another MEd program, two 6000-level Master’s courses may be considered for credit towards our Master of Education in Leadership in Learning degree, pending approval of the Co-ordinator of Graduate Studies. Applicants are encouraged to check course availability and transfer credit options with the Faculty of Education Graduate Student Administrator; email jmsmith@upei.ca.
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Please indicate the specific focus you are applying to in your application and personal statement. Sufficient enrolment is required for each focus to begin.
Global Perspectives Focus
(on campus)
This innovative course-based graduate program is designed for international students from a variety of countries. Participants bring a global perspective to leadership in learning in 21st century educational contexts. Participants will explore theory and practice from the fields of international and comparative education, educational leadership, curriculum and pedagogy, and global education. Students will enhance their competencies as educators and global citizens as they engage in active experiential learning and critical reflection.
This program is a research and theory-oriented degree and does not meet the qualifications for teacher certification on its own. If you wish to become a certified public school teacher, please visit the Bachelor of Education program page for more details.
Program highlights include:
- Extensive practical experiences in diverse educational settings and learning communities
- Wide range of opportunities to interact with domestic and international students from various countries
- 10 courses (combination of blended, online, and in-person experiences)
- Competitive tuition rates
- Program completion within 16 months
- Small class sizes
- Rich opportunities to engage with local cultures
- Participants can bridge their learning to other programs offering a certificate in early childhood learning or adult education
Applicants require two years of education-related experience.
Applicants do not require a supervisor in advance of this application.
To start the MEd program, students require IELTS (or equivalent) of 7.0 (writing and speaking), 6.5 (reading and listening), and an overall score of 7.0.
Application dates for September intake
- Open: September 1
- Closed: March 1 (all documents must be received by April 1)
Application dates for January intake
- Open: January 1
- Closed: July 15 (all documents must be received by August 15)
21st Century Teaching and Learning Focus
(100% online delivery)
The Master of Education with a focus on 21st Century Teaching and Learning is offered 100% online. Students in the 21st Century Teaching and Learning focus will join a virtual community of practitioners learning about digital technologies and using them to focus on 21st Century ideas about critical pedagogy, educational leadership, authentic assessment, project-based learning, and global education. Participants will explore theories, research and practices relevant to student engagement and learning.
Program highlights include:
- 10 courses (delivered completely online*)
- Courses focus on teaching and learning in 21st Century contexts
- Program completion within 30 months
- Competitive tuition fees
- July start date each year
Applicants require two years of education-related experience.
To start the MEd program, students require IELTS (or equivalent) of 7.0 (writing and speaking), 6.5 (reading, listening), and an overall score of 7.0.
*100% online learning delivered programs and blended learning with six online (6) learning delivered courses are not eligible for study permits.
Application dates for July intake
- Open: October 1
- Closed: March 30
Additional Designation in Inclusive Education Focus
(blend of 4 courses on campus in July; 6 courses online)
Within this 10-course MEd focus, five (5) courses will certify students towards the Additional Designation in Inclusive Education required by the PEI Department of Education and Early Childhood Development. This combination of courses will prepare teachers to specialize as Resource Room or Special Education teachers.
Program highlights include:
- 10 courses (delivered online during the school year and in-person courses offered during the first two full weeks in July for two summer sessions*)
- Courses will focus on inclusion and differentiated instruction
- Competitive tuition fees
- Program completion within 24 months
- Program starts in July with two in-person intensive weeks (Monday to Friday, 8:00 am–4:00 pm)
Applicants require two years of education-related experience.
To start the MEd program, students require IELTS (or equivalent) of 7.0 (writing and speaking), 6.5 (reading, listening), and an overall score of 7.0.
*100% online learning delivered programs and blended learning with six online (6) learning delivered courses are not eligible for study permits.
Application dates for July intake
- Open: October 1
- Closed: March 30
College Educators Focus
(blend of 4 courses on campus in July; 6 courses online)
The College Educators MEd will be of interest to college or post-secondary educators.
Program highlights include:
- 10 courses (delivered online during the school year and in-person courses offered during the first two full weeks in July for two summer sessions*)
- Specialized courses include higher education teaching, assessment of adult learners, and program evaluation
- All courses will focus on teaching and learning in higher education
- Program completion within 24 months
- Competitive tuition fees
- Program starts in July with two in-person intensive weeks (Monday to Friday, 8:00 am–4:00 pm)
Applicants require two years of education-related experience.
To start the MEd program, students require IELTS (or equivalent) of 7.0 (writing and speaking), 6.5 (reading, listening), and an overall score of 7.0.
*100% online learning delivered programs and blended learning with six online (6) learning delivered courses are not eligible for study permits.
Application dates for July intake
- Open: October 1
- Closed: March 30
Note: Current UPEI students should refer to Student Planning in myUPEI and the UPEI Academic Calendar governing their entry year, and speak to an academic advisor about course requirements. The course structure presented for this program is a recommended, unofficial progression for prospective students.
Students enrolled in the graduate program are required to choose a thesis-based or course-based option. In the thesis-based option students will complete five compulsory courses, one elective course, and a thesis (4 course equivalents). In the course-based option, students will complete seven compulsory courses and three elective courses. The course-based MEd program includes focus areas in 21st Century Teaching and Learning, Inclusive Education, Global Perspectives, and College Education. Not all focus areas are offered each year.
Thesis-based Option
Compulsory Courses (5 required courses)
Education 6110 Introduction to Research Methods in Education
Education 6140 Theories of Research and Learning
Education 6150 Educational Leadership
Education 6190 Critical Pedagogy
and one of the following:
Education 6120 Quantitative Research Design
OR
Education 6130 Qualitative Research Design
OR
Education 6160 Action Research in Education
OR
Education 6180 Learning, Leadership and Reflective Practice
OR
Education 6290 Program Evaluation
Elective Courses (1 required)
Education 6010 Selected Topics in Education
Education 6020 Student Diversity and Inclusive Education
Education 6030 Instructional and Assessment Practices for Inclusive Education
Education 6170 Issues in Educational Leadership
Education 6220 Research on Learning Difficulties
Education 6225 Assessment for Students with Learning Challenges
Education 6240 Change: Leadership in Learning
Education 6250 Curriculum: Leadership in Learning
Education 6260 Technology: Leadership in Learning
Education 6270 Global Education
Education 6280 International Education and Development
Education 6300 Perspectives in Ecology and Sustainable Leadership
Education 6310 Leadership in Postcolonial Education
Education 6320 Leadership in Languages and Literacies
Education 6330 Multiliteracies and New Literacies
Education 6340 An Introduction to 21st Century Teaching and Learning
Education 6420 Workplace learning and Leadership
Education 6910 Directed Study
Education 6950 Graduate Seminar
Thesis
Education 6990 (4 course equivalents)
For complete MEd Thesis-based Option information, please refer to the UPEI Academic Calendar.
Course-based Option
Compulsory Courses (7 required courses)
Education 6110 Introduction to Research Methods in Education
Education 6140 Theories of Research and Learning
Education 6150 Educational Leadership
Education 6190 Critical Pedagogy
Education 6250 Curriculum: Leadership in Learning
And one of the following courses:
Education 6120 Quantitative Research Design
OR
Education 6130 Qualitative Research Design
OR
Education 6160 Action Research in Education
OR
Education 6180 Learning, Leadership and Reflective Practice
OR
Education 6290 Program Evaluation
And one of the following courses:
Education 6170 Issues in Educational Leadership
OR
Education 6270 Global Education
OR
Education 6280 International Education and Development
Elective Courses (3 courses required)
Education 6010 Selected Topics in Education
Education 6020 Student Diversity and Inclusive Education
Education 6030 Instructional and Assessment Practices for Inclusive Education
Education 6210 Current Research in Learning
Education 6220 Research on Learning Difficulties
Education 6225 Assessment for Students with Learning Challenges
Education 6230 Statistics for Research in Education
Education 6240 Change: Leadership in Learning
Education 6260 Technology: Leadership in Learning
Education 6300 Perspectives in Ecology and Sustainable Leadership
Education 6310 Leadership in Postcolonial Education
Education 6320 Leadership in Languages and Literacies
Education 6330 Multiliteracies and New literacies
Education 6340 An Introduction to 21st Century Teaching and Learning
Education 6420 Workplace learning and Leadership
Education 6910 Directed Study
Education 6950 Graduate Seminar
Applications to the MEd program must have demonstrated high academic standing and potential for self-directed, sustained research. Normally, the basic requirement is:
i) An undergraduate or graduate degree from an approved university with an average of 70% or higher in the last 20 courses (60 credit hours). An applicant lacking a degree, or an applicant possessing a degree with an academic average under 70%, maybe considered for admission under exceptional circumstances. In such cases, the Graduate Studies Committee must be satisfied that the student has the capacity to complete graduate work. This capacity could be demonstrated through extensive and relevant professional experiences, Red Seal trade certificate, leadership, research, and publications.
ii) At least two years of education-related experience
Supplemental files are required at the time of application, including a Personal Statement.
Please refer to the UPEI Academic Calendar for complete admissions information.
Students are expected to be proficient in the use of English, both written and oral, when they begin their studies at the University of Prince Edward Island. Please review the English Language Requirements for graduate programs.
Tuition
Master of Education - $10,940 per program
Course Based - $1,094 per course for 10 courses
Thesis Based - $1,094 per course for 6 courses; $1,458 per course for 3 thesis courses
International students pay $841 per course in addition to the Master of Education tuition fee.
For a complete breakdown, visit our Tuition and Fees page.
Fees are based on full time enrolment. Although the tuition calculator allows for a part-time fee option, the program does not. The part time calculation applies only to the above noted “special student” status for single courses.
Scholarships and Awards
UPEI supports students and their educational goals. We administer millions of dollars in scholarships and awards to our undergraduate and graduate students every year. Depending on your faculty or program, and year of study, you may be eligible for available awards.
Search the complete list of scholarships for information and application forms.
UPEI has about 250 faculty—exceptional scholars, teachers, and mentors, with more being hired each year as we open new, progressive, and unique programs. But the story isn’t just in the numbers. It’s in the quality of our people. Award-winning faculty from around the globe have made UPEI home. Here, you’ll learn directly from these world-class professors and researchers in small classes where you’ll have easy access to them.
